Quote:
Originally Posted by La lamy
I've been waiting for this technology for a long time. I thought it'd be mainstream by 2000, but still waiting and optimistic!...
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It's kind of a running joke. Fusion is always only 20 years away. I mentioned this thread to my son who is graduating from Tennessee in May with a degree in Nuclear Engineering (and if I may brag for a second, he'll be
suma cum laude). Starts his PhD program almost immediately. Anyway, he looked at the article and said, "Interesting. I haven't taken much stock in these current 'breakthroughs' because they are still just running for 20 minutes or something. I have been seeing a lot of startups getting funding for demonstrating their design in a couple of years. Which seems optimistic."
The newer fission technologies (molten salt reactors, SMRs, etc) are the more practical exciting advances. Many demonstration units currently under development and/or construction. Plus the hydrogen generation plants being developed as an offshoot (and previously mentioned). Toyota seems to be the major manufacturer who is placing bets on hydrogen. I think they'll win that bet.